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A preliminary validation study of PuO2 incorporation into zirconolite glass-ceramics

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Abstract

Zirconolite glass-ceramics are being developed as potential wasteforms for the disposition of Pu wastes in the UK. Previous studies utilised a variety of surrogates whilst this work uses both cold-press and sinter and hot isostatic press methods to validate the wasteform with PuO2. A cold press and sinter sample was fabricated as part of a validation study for plutonium incorporation in hot isostatically pressed (HIPed) wasteforms. The results confirmed the cold-press and sinter, achieved successful waste incorporation and a microstructure and phase assemblage that was in agreement with those expected of a HIPed equivalent. A HIP sample was fabricated of the same composition and characterised by SEM and XRD. Results were in agreement with the sintered sample and achieved complete waste incorporation into the glass-ceramic wasteform. These samples have demonstrated successful incorporation of PuO2 into glass-ceramic HIPed wasteforms proposed for processing Pu-based waste-streams in the UK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Dept., The University of Sheffield, Mapping Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK

    Stephanie M. Thornber, Martin C. Stennett & Neil C. Hyatt

  2. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Kirrawee DC, Locked Bag 2001, NSW, 2232, Australia

    Eric R. Vance, Dorji T. Chavara, Ian Watson, Miodrag Jovanovic, Joel Davis & Daniel Gregg

Authors
  1. Stephanie M. Thornber
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  2. Martin C. Stennett
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  3. Eric R. Vance
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  4. Dorji T. Chavara
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  5. Ian Watson
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  6. Miodrag Jovanovic
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  7. Joel Davis
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  8. Daniel Gregg
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  9. Neil C. Hyatt
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Correspondence to Stephanie M. Thornber.

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Thornber, S.M., Stennett, M.C., Vance, E.R. et al. A preliminary validation study of PuO2 incorporation into zirconolite glass-ceramics. MRS Advances 3, 1065–1071 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2018.109

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2018.109

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